Using information from images for plantation monitoring: A review of solutions for smallholders

Abstract Technologically empowering farmers/smallholders notably accelerates the knowledge transfer to monitor plantations in developing countries. Advanced, cost-effective technologies can rapidly increase the effectiveness of using expenses, labor, and time. There is no limit to using digital cameras for non-destructive measurements, such as nutrient monitoring, pests and diseases, yield monitoring, and other information related to individual plant conditions in the plantation area. This paper elaborates the fundamental concepts and best practices for future research on how to use image information from a single digital camera in decision support systems as a solution to monitoring plantations such as coffee, cocoa, and tree crops. This paper reviews the recent and potential research on plantation monitoring using a digital camera and other suitable integrated sensors. Moreover, we propose a protocol for use as a possible solution for smallholders to cope with the limitation in network/internet access infrastructure. Following this protocol, an integrated system for monitoring the farm activities of smallholders can be established.